ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Textiles
India announces TAP for 5 African Countries on World Cotton Day
Textiles Minister Addresses WTO on World Cotton Day in Geneva
World Cotton Day an opportunity to recognise significance of Cotton as A Global Commodity: Smriti Zubin Irani
(Smriti Zubin Irani speaking at World Cotton Day programme in Geneva
Union Minister of Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani, said that India remains committed to building on its longstanding development partnership with Africa, especially in the field of cotton. For this, Textiles Minister said that India will be announcing the launch of the second phase of the Cotton Technical Assistance Programme  for Africa at the Partners Conference in Geneva today. In the five year long second phase, the programme will be scaled up in size and coverage and will be introduced in five additional countries, namely Mali, Ghana, Togo, Zambia and Tanzania. The Cotton TAP programme will now cover 11 African countries including the C4 . India implemented a Technical Assistance Programme  for cotton in 6 African countries, namely – Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Malawi, Nigeria and Uganda from 2012 to 2018.
Smriti Zubin Irani further said that India is also engaging meaningfully in providing assistance to strengthen both the agriculture and textile part of the cotton value chain in Africa through training and capacity-building of farmers, scientists, government officials and industry representatives and through the creation of cotton-related infrastructure.
As one of the world’s largest producers and consumers of cotton, India supports the World Cotton Day as an opportunity to recognise the significance of cotton as a global commodity, and, more importantly, as a source of livelihood for millions of small and marginal farmers in developing countries said Smriti Zubin Irani, at the opening session of World Cotton Day in Geneva today.
Smriti Zubin Irani said that it is fitting that Mahatma Gandhi has been chosen as the icon for the World Cotton Day and to mark the celebration of the first World Cotton Day, India will gift a replica of Mahatma Gandhi’s Charkha to the WTO. She also informed that a live demonstration of the Charkha has been arranged a by Pitta Ramulu, National Award winning weaver from India.
The Textiles Minister also informed that cotton farming and the domestic cotton textile industry continue to be important pillars of India’s economy. As a country of 8 million small and marginal cotton farmers, India is sensitive to the challenges faced by the cotton sector in developing countries and India has been a proponent for the elimination of asymmetries and imbalances in the WTO agreements that lead to a distortion of global cotton markets, the Minister added.
Smriti Zubin Irani expressed hope that the World Cotton Day will help showcase innovative initiatives in the cotton eco-system and channel more development assistance for cotton.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
FCI is operating 2199 of warehouses  for storage of food grains across the country
The Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today informed that that augmentation of capacity is a continuous process. Food Corporation of India  continuously assesses and monitors the storage capacity and based on the storage gap assessment, storage capacities are created/hired. FCI augments its storage capacity through following schemes:-
- Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee  Scheme
- Central Sector Scheme 
- Construction of Silo's under Public Private Partnership  mode
- Hiring of godown from Central Warehousing Corporation / State Warehousing Corporations /State Agencies
- Hiring of godown through Private Warehousing Scheme .
As on 01.01.2022, FCI is operating 2199 of warehouses  for storage of foodgrains throughout the country. The State-wise detail of number of storage unit available with FCI  as on 01.01.2022 is enclosed at Annexure-I.
Annexure-I
State-wise number of storage unit available with FCI  as on 01.01.2022.
|
|
S. N
|
|
Region
|
|
Total number of warehouse
|
|
1
|
|
Bihar
|
|
80
|
|
2
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
48
|
|
3
|
|
Odisha
|
|
46
|
|
4
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
30
|
|
5
|
|
Sikkim
|
|
2
|
|
6
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
15
|
|
7
|
|
Assam
|
|
40
|
|
8
|
|
Manipur
|
|
9
|
|
9
|
|
Nagaland
|
|
6
|
|
10
|
|
Tripura
|
|
7
|
|
11
|
|
Mizoram
|
|
6
|
|
12
|
|
Meghalaya
|
|
6
|
|
13
|
|
Delhi
|
|
6
|
|
14
|
|
Haryana
|
|
297
|
|
15
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
18
|
|
16
|
|
Jammu & Kashmir
|
|
26
|
|
17
|
|
Laddakh
|
|
6
|
|
18
|
|
Punjab
|
|
611
|
|
19
|
|
Chandigarh
|
|
1
|
|
20
|
|
Rajashthan
|
|
173
|
|
21
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
248
|
|
22
|
|
Uttaranchal
|
|
20
|
|
23
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
40
|
|
24
|
|
Andman & Nicobar
|
|
1
|
|
25
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
62
-2-
|
|
26
|
|
Lakshadweep
|
|
1
|
|
27
|
|
Kerala
|
|
25
|
|
28
|
|
Tamilnadu
|
|
68
|
|
29
|
|
Pudducherry
|
|
3
|
|
30
|
|
Telangana
|
|
72
|
|
31
|
|
Chattisgarh
|
|
63
|
|
32
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
36
|
|
33
|
|
Dadra Nagar Haveli &DD
|
|
0
|
|
34
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
36
|
|
35
|
|
Goa
|
|
2
|
|
36
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
89
|
|
Total
|
|
2199
PIB Headquarters
Widow of a casual employee paid Rs.18,92,139/-
Shri C. Shanmugavel was a casual worker under the southern Railway Madurai Division. He approached the Office of the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner  Chennai with an industrial dispute for regularization of his service with consequential benefits. The Dispute was conciliated upon and upon its failure, referred to the Central Government Industrial Tribunal. The Tribunal adjudicated the same and awarded in favour of the worker.
However, the Railway had gone on appeal to the Honourable High Court of Madras and finally upto the Honourable Supreme Court. All the judgements were passed in favour of the above casual worker. Meanwhile, he died. The Divisional Railway Manager, Madurai still delayed the implementation of the Award and Orders of the various Courts.
The Office of the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner  Chennai pressurized the above Divisional Railway Manager, Maduriai to implement the above award. Also legal action was about to be initiated against the above Railway Manager.
Only heeding to such pressure from the Office of the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner , Chennai, the above Divisional Railway Manager had disbursed a sum of Rs. 18,92,139/- into the bank account of the widow of the above casual worker, Smt. Muthukutty as arrears of wage as if the above workers was regularized. Also the original pass book, copy of the pension order and other consequential benefits payable to the above casual worker were produced by the Divisional Personnel Officer before Shri V. Muthu Manickam, Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner , Chennai. Thus, the award was implemented in full.
Ministry of Railways
Allocation and Release of Funds for Railway Projects
The total Budget Allocation of funds for New Line, Gauge Conversion and Doubling works during the last three years i.e. Financial Year 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 was Rs. 94,625 crore i.e. an average annual budget allocation of Rs. 31,542 crore per year which is 174% more than the average annual budget allocation of Rs. 11,527 crore per year during 2009-14. The budget allocation for New Line, Gauge Conversion and Doubling plan heads for the year 2020-21 has further increased to Rs. 35,965 crore which is 212% more than the average annual budget allocation during 2009-14.
Project-wise details of ongoing projects including cost, expenditure incurred and outlay are made available in public domain on Indian Railways website i.e. www.indianrailways.gov.in > Ministry of Railways > Railway Board > About Indian Railways > Railway Board Directorates > Finance  > Pink Book  > Railway-wise Works, Machinery & Rolling Stock Programme .
As on 01.04.2020, there are 513 ongoing Railway projects of 53,039 km length, costing approx. Rs. 7.5 lakh Crore which are in different stages of planning/sanction/execution, out of which 10,013 km length has been commissioned and an expenditure of Rs. 1.86 lakh crore has been incurred upto March, 2020. These include:-
- 189 New line projects of 21,343 km length, costing Rs. 4,04,853 crore, out of which commissioning of 2,633 km length has been achieved and expenditure of Rs. 94,575 crore has been incurred upto March, 2020.
- 54 Gauge Conversion projects of 7,003 km length, costing Rs. 59,699 crore, out of which commissioning of 3,733 km length has been achieved and expenditure of Rs. 23,405 crore has been incurred upto March, 2020.
- 270 Doubling projects of 24,693 km length, costing Rs. 2,85,324 crore, out of which commissioning of 3,647 km length has been achieved and expenditure of Rs. 67,816 crore has been incurred upto March, 2020.
During the last three years i.e. 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20, 86 projects  of total length of 5534 km costing Rs. 48,258 crore have been commissioned upto March, 2020.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister to proceed on a two day official visit to Kolkata on 11th and 12th January 2020
To Dedicate 4 renovated heritage buildings to the Nation
To Participate in Sesquicentenary celebration of the Kolkata Port Trust
To Fulfil the Pension Requirements of the Retired and Existing Employees of the Kolkata Port Trust
To felicitate two oldest surviving Centenarian retired employees of the port Trust
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is proceeding on a two day official visit to Kolkata on the 11th and 12th January 2020.
Dedication of Heritage Buildings to the Nation
On the 11th of January, the Prime Minister shall dedicate to the Nation Four Refurbished Heritage Buildings in Kolkata to the Nation.
These are the Old Currency Building, the Belvedere House, the Metcalfe House and the Victoria Memorial Hall. The Union Ministry of Culture has renovated these 4 iconic galleries and refurbished them with new exhibitions while curating the old galleries.
Ministry of Culture under the direction of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is developing cultural spaces around iconic buildings in various metro cities in the country. To begin with the cities of Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Varanasi are being taken up under this project.
Sesquicentenary Celebrations of the Kolkata Port Trust 
The Prime Minister shall also participate in the grand Sesquicentenary Celebrations of the Kolkata Port Trust on the 11th and 12th January 2020.
Shri Narendra Modi shall be handing over a Cheque of Rs 501 Crore towards final instalment to meet the deficit of pension fund of retired and existing employees of the Kolkata Port Trust.
In a memorable event, the Prime Minister shall also be felicitating two oldest pensioners of the Kolkata Port Trust Shri Nagina Bhagat and Shri Naresh Chandra Chakraborty .
The Prime Minister shall also launch the Port Anthem during the event.
Shri Modi shall also unveil a plaque of 150 years of commemorative installation at the site of original Port Jetties.
The Prime Minister shall also inaugurate the upgraded Ship Repair Faciility of Cochin Kolkata Ship Repair Unit at Netaji Subhas Dry Dock.
Shri Narendra Modi shall inaugurate the Full Rake Handling Facility while dedicating the upgraded Railway Infrastructure of Kolkata Dock System of KoPT for smooth cargo movement and improving turnaround time.
Prime Minister shall also launch the Mechanisation of Berth No.3 at Haldia Dock Complex of KoPT and a proposed riverfront development scheme.
Prime Minister shall also inaugurate Kaushal Vikas Kendra and Pritilata Chhatri Avas for 200 Tribal girl students of Sunderbans, a project undertaken by KoPT with Purvanchal Kalyan Ashram, Gosaba, Sunderbans affiliate to Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram.
UPSC
Recruitment Results Finalized By UPSC in December, 2020
The following Recruitment Results have been finalized by the Union Public Service Commission during the month of December, 2020. The recommended candidates have been informed individually by post.
Click here for full list
Ministry of Tourism
Ministry of Tourism implements a skill training programme for tourism service providers under the Capacity Building for Service Providers  Scheme: Shri G. Kishan Reddy
The Ministry of Tourism under its Schemes of Swadesh Darshan and ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive ’ provides financial assistance for development of tourism infrastructure in the country including tier II destinations. Under Swadesh Darshan scheme, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 76 projects in different themes including 10 projects under heritage theme since 2014-15. The PRASHAD scheme of the Ministry aims at integrated development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations.
Further, the Ministry of Tourism implements a skill training programme for tourism service providers under the Capacity Building for Service Providers  Scheme to enhance the employability of the candidates. This training includes fresh candidates, candidates for re-skilling and upskilling who are already working in the hospitality sector. This training programme is on pan-India level including the tier-II cities.
The Ministry of Tourism had initiated the Destination Based Skill Development training programme w.e.f. FY 2019-20, with the objective to bring in an all-encompassing training plan at the tourist destination itself to upgrade and build capacities of all service providers to the tourists.
This information was given by Minister of Tourism Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
Text of the PM’S Address at the Valedictory Function of India-Australia circular Economy Hackathon 
Friends,
In June last year, Prime Minister Morrison and I discussed the possibility of organizing a hackathon on the Circular Economy.
I am glad that our idea has been realized so soon.
I thank my dear friend, Prime Minister Scott Morrison for his support to this joint initiative.
I also commend all the participants for their commitment despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
For me you are all winners.
Friends,
As humanity faces the challenges posed by Climate Change, the theme of this Hackathon is relevant to the whole world.
Consumption-oriented economic models have put a great strain on our planet.
We must never forget, that we are not the owners of all that Mother Earth has to offer, but merely its trustees for all the future generations to come.
It is not enough to make our production processes more efficient and less polluting.
No matter how fast or slow one drives, if the direction is wrong, then one is bound to reach the wrong destination.
And so, we must set the right direction.
We must look at our consumption patterns, and how we can reduce their ecological impact.
This is where the concept of a Circular Economy comes in.
It can be a key step in solving many of our challenges.
Recycling and reusing things, eliminating waste, and improving resource efficiency must become part of our lifestyles.
This hackathon has seen innovative solutions from Indian and Australian students, startups and entrepreneurs.
These innovations show your commitment to the philosophy of circular economy.
I have no doubt that your innovations will inspire our two countries to take the lead in circular economy solutions.
And, for that, we must now also explore ways to scale-up and incubate these ideas.
Friends,
The power of youth comes from openness to new ideas and innovations, and the ability to take risks.
The energy and enthusiasm of today’s youthful participants is a symbol of the forward-looking partnership between India and Australia.
I have full confidence in the energy, creativity and out-of-box thinking of our youth.
They can offer sustainable, holistic solutions to not just our two countries but to the whole world.
The strong India-Australia partnership will play an important role in shaping the post-COVID world.
And our youth, our young innovators, our startups, will be at the forefront of this partnership.
Thank you!
Thank you very much!
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
DDA has applied for registration of 18 projects before RERA, Delhi
Delhi Development Authority  has applied for registration of 18 projects before the Real Estate Regulatory Authority of Delhi since the year 2019. Delhi Regulatory Authority, after processing the applications, conveyed certain deficiencies to DDA. Subsequently, DDA filed Interim Application  raising preliminary objections against the requirement of registration of projects under the Real Estate  Act, 2016 [RERA], which was rejected by Regulatory Authority vide order dated 20.12.2021 and directed DDA to cure the deficiencies in their application for registration. DDA has filed an appeal before the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal against the requirement of registration of DDA projects under RERA. So far, no projects of DDA have been registered under RERA.
Section 3 of RERA mandates registration of real estate project by the promoter before any advertisement, marketing, booking, selling or offering for sale, or inviting persons to purchase in any manner. Further, Section 59 of RERA provides for penalty upon promoter in case of non-registration of the real estate project. Data / information related to action taken by the Real Estate Regulatory Authorities of various States / Union Territories against the private sector real estate companies for non-registration of projects under RERA is not maintained centrally.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Kaushal Kishore, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM lauds the tree plantation initiative at Tuticorin port
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi praised the tree plantation initiative at Tuticorin port.
In year 2022, 10 thousand saplings were planted by Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways at Tuticorin port which are now taking the form of trees and will prove to be beneficial for the coming generations.
Replying to the MoPSW tweet, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“पर्यावरण सुरक्षा की दिशा में इस नेक और दूरदर्शी प्रयास के लिए @vocpa_tuticorin को बहुत-बहुत बधाई।”
Ministry of Defence
President of India Lays Wreath at Dagger War Memorial, Baramulla on Occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas
The Hon’ble President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind visited Baramulla as a Chief Guest on the 22nd anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas. The Hon’ble President of India was accompanied by the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha and Lieutenant General DP Pandey, General Officer Commanding Chinar Corps. He paid homage to the indomitable courage and sacrifice of Indian Armed Forces personnel during Kargil conflict in 1999 by laying wreath at the Dagger War Memorial in Baramulla in a solemn ceremony.
The President was received by Major General Virendra Vats, General Officer Commanding Baramulla Division and was briefed about the town’s history highlighting the contribution of the town in various operations post-independence. The Hon’ble President of India thereafter interacted with the soldiers of Baramulla Division and wished them luck for all future endeavors. After visiting Baramulla, the Hon’ble President of India proceeded to Gulmarg and visited the High Altitude Warfare School. He was briefed on the various facets of training being carried out at the High Altitude Warfare School.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 – One New Case Found
, surveillance in the community, laboratory support and hospital preparedness. He called upon States/UTs to scale up logistics, quarantine facilities, capacity building, information management and risk communication.
One more new case has been reported from Punjab. Thus, as of now there are 44 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country . As many as 11,913 cases are under IDSP community followup. 404 Indian contacts of the US citizen tested positive in Bhutan have been identified and put under surveillance in Assam.
A total of 9,41,717 international passengers from 8,827 flights have been screened at airports till now with 54 passengers being referred to IDSP/ hospitals.
To meet the increasing demand and convenient screening of passengers, manpower deployed at airports have been substantially increased. There are now 286 doctors, 160 nurses and 295 paramedics stationed at airports across the country.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur attends closing ceremony of World Table Tennis Star Contender Goa 2023
India is making a mark in the global sporting world under PM Modi’s Leadership : Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
Panaji | 5 March 2023
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur attended the closing ceremony of the World Table Tennis Star  Contender Goa 2023 Tournament in Panaji. WTT Goa is the first World Table Tennis to be conducted in India and boasts of participation from an array of elite athletes, including world number 1 in Men’s rankings, Fan Zhendong. International Table Tennis Federation  President Petra Sorlingwas also in attendance.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said this was a proud moment for both Goa and India as a World Table Tennis event was being organized for the very first time in the country. He described how this was yet another milestone in the progress India has made in the world of sports under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union Minister Anurag Thakur noted how the budget for Sports infrastructure and training had increased greatly under PM Modi’s leadership. He concluded his speech by encouraging parents to send their children out to play more and not limit them to the world of textbooks.
The Minister also presented the award for the Women’s Singles Champion to Wang Yidi. Hailing from China and ranked number 4 in global rankings, Wang Yidi defeated Cheng I-Ching in the finals by a score of 4-0. The tournament saw many twists and turns including Men’s World Number 1 Fan Zhendong losing to 193 ranked Cho Daeseong in the round of 32. The tournament also marked the first time a serving ITTF President has visited India.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Share of MSMEs in exports to Russia and Ukraine
The share of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises  export to Russia and Ukraine during the last three years is as follows:
Value in USD Million
|
|
India’s Export
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
Value
|
|
Value
|
|
Value
|
|
Selected commodities  to Russia
|
|
1432.53
|
|
1819.41
|
|
1548.27
|
|
Total export to Russia
|
|
2389.62
|
|
3017.75
|
|
2655.84
|
|
% Share of MSME exports against total export to Russia
|
|
59.95
|
|
60.29
|
|
58.30
|
|
% Share of MSME exports to Russia against MSME export to the World
|
|
0.89
|
|
1.17
|
|
1.08
|
|
% Share of total exports to Russia against total export to the World
|
|
0.72
|
|
0.96
|
|
0.91
|
|
Selected commodities  to Ukraine
|
|
207.91
|
|
300.97
|
|
294.82
|
|
Total export to Ukraine
|
|
390.80
|
|
463.81
|
|
450.97
|
|
% Share of MSME exports against total export to Ukraine
|
|
53.20
|
|
64.89
|
|
65.37
|
|
% Share of MSME exports to Ukraine against MSME export to the World
|
|
0.13
|
|
0.19
|
|
0.20
|
|
% Share of total exports to Ukraine against total export to the World
|
|
0.12
|
|
0.15
|
|
0.15
|
|
MSME export to World
|
|
159179.78
|
|
154801.48
|
|
143993.81
|
|
Total export to the world
|
|
330078.09
|
|
313361.04
|
|
291808.48
|
|
Source: DGCI&S
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||
||
|
|
||
||
||
||
|
The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises is apprised of the present situation with respect to impact of Russia-Ukraine war on Indian MSME exports and is closely monitoring the situation.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
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